Woohoo!!!!! MACH 2 Marron

Huge Congratulations to The Agility Facility's very own MACH 2 Marron and Lora Abbott!!!

 

Marron went to the Nutmeg Border Collie AKC trial this weekend needing 1 QQ for her MACH 2!!

 

I had no doubts :-)

 



What is Agility Foundations

Why do I need foundations for agility?

I've been doing agility since 1995. Things have changed a huge amount since I first brought my dog to our first agility class. I was so excited to do this class and couldn't wait to put her on equipment. Back then, there wasn't a thing called "foundations". We were all learning together. Dogs weren't running as fast as they do now. We managed to teach equipment and muddled through "handling". We, the dogs and handlers, didn't have good skills but we did the best we could and we continued to learn in this very new sport.  

 

Today in agility, we have so much more knowledge, dogs are running faster, equipment has improved greatly and the courses in competition have gotten more challenging.

 

Everyone has a different goal in agility whether it's to make the world team and travel abroad to compete with the best or just have a fun night out with your best friend. Sometimes your goals change. In 1995, I didn't even know there were competitions or that I could bring my mix breed dog to these events. 18 years later, my fun night out with my dog has turned into a passion for the sport and has given me a wealth of knowledge

 

What are some basic skills needed?

• recalls
• stays
• understanding release word
• focus
• play with toys
• play without toys
• taking treats
• going back and forth between food and toys
• impulse control
• lying quietly in a crate
• retrieve
• understanding of which side of handler to be on while walking
• ability to go from handler focus to obstacle focus

What are some advanced skills needed? 

• recalls off food, dogs, people, wildlife, toys
• stays while throwing treats, toys, dogs running past, wildlife running past, handler running away
• focus with all of the above
• understanding release word
• playing with toys on demand
• playing without toys for 3 minutes straight
• tugging on a toy while reaching into pocket, with a bowl of food on the ground, with treats in your hand, with other dogs playing
• impulse control with all of the above
• lying quietly in a crate with all of the above
• retrieve a "dead" toy. A toy that is not moving
• understanding of which side of handler to be on while running and with side changes
• ability to go from handler focus to obstacle focus

Those are just some of the skills needed away from equipment and it does take time to develop them.  

So what are some skills needed for equipment? 

• balance
• strength
• body awareness
• hind end awareness
• ability to turn in both directions equally
• independence
• ability to weight shift
• ability to go from handler focus to obstacle focus
• understanding release word
• the ability to know how to learn via shaping behaviors

What should you expect from your foundation class?

Your dog will learn these skills over the weeks in class along with learning obstacles. I try to balance the class so you and your dog are getting a little of everything.

 

What we strive for is a confident and happy dog that negotiates the obstacles efficiently, fast, confidently and safely while you as a handler direct him around the course.

Prepare for some fun!!

 

 

This is Puck at 5 months old balanced and turning out of a tunnel with me running

 

 

 



March classes

 

Leap into Spring with Agility classes at the Agility Facility

 

Killingworth 

Monday Starting February 24

Master level handling-FULL

Masters level course work with the introduction and introduction of some international style handling skills. Dogs should be competing in the Masters/Excellent level

 

3:00-4:30

 

Starting Monday March 10

Agility Foundations

6:00-7:00

 



This class lays the foundation for a successful agility career for you and your dog. Dogs and handlers will learn how to work together, teach balance and body awareness. Some basic “obedience for agility” will be included. Several dogs will be on the floor at once so some focus exercises will be touched upon as well. Introduction to obstacles included 

Limit 5 dogs

 

6:00-7:00

Foundation II

This is a continuation of Agility Foundations. Dog will continue to learn obstacles while handlers are learning to handle their dogs. Short sequences will be implemented as well. This is a "tweener" class

Dogs must have completed Foundation I class

Limit 5 dogs

 

7:15-8:45

Novice/Advanced Handling

This class is for dogs sequencing all obstacles that still may need some proofing. Introduction of "fancy handling" will also be covered.

 

Limit 6 dogs

 

***Classes at the lower levels are kept small and the Agility Foundations level have 2 instructors so there is less waiting around time

 

Please go to this link to sign up:

https://adobeformscentral.com/?f=99QKnUzI7NnIN-yjKnveNg

 

or questions:

agilebug@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bug and Pace at Westminster!

Click the link below to view our Westminster experience!!

Bug kisses

Click here Bug and Pace take Manhattan

We're going to Westminster!!!

Westminster Kennel Club's First Masters Agility Championship!!

 

Bug and Pace have been picked to attend Westminsters First Annual Masters Agility Championship in NYC!!!

 

The event will be held at Pier 94 Saturday February 8, 2014

The finals will be televised live on Fox Sports starting at 7:00 pm

 

Click on this link for more information:

http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/2014/show/agility.html

 

 



Monday Classes in Killingworth

Welcome 2014!!!

 

 

Starting January 13, 2014

Agility Foundations II 6:00-7:00

 

This is a continuation of Agility Foundations. Progression of obstacle training and handling will be the focus of this class. Handling is taught with cones and tunnels and obstacles are taught separately. Dogs should be able to work off leash in this class

Cost $125/6 weeks
To sign up for classes, click on this link
https://adobeformscentral.com/?f=99QKnUzI7NnIN-yjKnveNg 



 

Novice Handling/obstacle basics  7:30-9:00

 

This is a “tweener” class where the dogs are sequencing with jumps and tunnels and contacts and weave poles are still in the “training stage”. Dogs will finish up their training and begin sequencing with all obstacles. This is where it will all comes together. Short courses will be implemented occasionally

Cost $140/6 weeks

To sign up for classes, click on this link
https://adobeformscentral.com/?f=99QKnUzI7NnIN-yjKnveNg

Puppy Power!!

PUPPY POWER!!!

 Get a paw up on the competition with this puppy head start program!

(Age: 8 weeks to 24 months)  

A half-day seminar presented by:  

Petra Ford, PT, CCRT 

of

Aqua Dog Rehabilitation, LLC

www.aquadogrehab.com 

Whether you plan to compete in agility, obedience, field, tracking, herding, etc…

 this seminar will provide you with fun activities and exercises that will not only 

prevent injury, but will improve your future athlete’s performance!   

 

At this hands-on seminar we will:

 

*  Review structure to identify potential areas of weakness

*  Teach exercises to strengthen and protect these areas

*  Provide fun activities that will improve your puppy’s body awareness, balance and proprioception and safely strengthen core muscles   

Saturday January 11, 2014

Tails U Win

Manchester, CT

1:00-4:30 pm 

                     • $80.00 per dog/owner team (limited number of working teams)

• $50.00 observer    .

• Snacks included

 

Sign up here:
https://adobeformscentral.com/?f=L9o-V233MSIcc%2Ae5VP2q3w

 

Send with Check payable to:  Mary Champagne, 35 Sperry Dr, Guilford, CT 06437